The UK Government will launch a ‘green wave’ scheme that will allow motorists to travel through a series of green traffic lights in the hopes of cutting emissions.

A motorist approaching the first traffic light at the speed limit or just below would trigger a succession of green lights and travel down the road faster.

In addition to cutting carbon emissions, the initiative is expected to reduce traffic noise and congestion.

This scheme is already in place in cities such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen where sensors are used to keep oncoming vehicles moving through sets of green traffic lights.

Initially, the Department for Transport discouraged the scheme despite being supported by environmentalists.